Wireless charging device

ABSTRACT

A wireless charging device comprises a transmitter coupled to at least one transmitting antenna and operable to cause the at least one transmitting antenna to emit electromagnetic radiation; a conductive structure adapted to confine the electromagnetic radiation to a charging zone; and a detector for detecting a degree of impedance mismatch between the transmitter and the at least one transmitting antenna. A receiver for use with the wireless charging device and a wireless charging system are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional application claiming priority toU.S. application Ser. No. 14/912,129 filed on Aug. 14, 2014, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,050,463, which was a filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 fromPCT/IL2014/050729 filed on Feb. 15, 2016, which claims priority to U.S.provisional patent application 61/866,337 filed 15 Aug. 2013, entitled“High Efficient Charging System Based On Electromagnetic ParametersAnalysis And Method Of Use” and to U.S. provisional patent application62/006,209 filed 1 Jun. 2014, entitled “Method And Apparatus ForEfficient Delivery Of RF Energy In A Wireless Charging Device”, thefiling dates and full disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a wireless charging of a device in general,and more particularly to efficiently delivering energy using a radiofrequency signal from a transmitting device to a receiving device to becharged. It also relates to a receiver for use with the wirelesscharging device and to a wireless charging system comprising thewireless charging device and the receiver.

BACKGROUND

Wireless charging systems exploit propagation of energy by a radiofrequency electromagnetic field between a transmitting unit and areceiving unit, which may be embedded in a chargeable device or may becoupled to such a device when it is required to charge it. The receivingunit has to cope with varying power levels in the electromagnetic fieldand with varying distances to the transmitting unit.

Commonly the impedance of the receiving unit is varied to compensate forchanging power levels and/or changes in the impedance in the receivingantenna that may be caused by varying distances between the receivingand transmitting units. Another possibility is that the receiving deviceincludes a charging management unit for controlling the charging currentand voltage throughout the charging process.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided awireless charging device comprising a transmitter coupled to at leastone transmitting antenna and operable to cause the at least onetransmitting antenna to emit electromagnetic radiation; a conductivestructure adapted to confine the electromagnetic radiation to a chargingzone; and a detector for detecting a degree of impedance mismatchbetween the transmitter and the at least one transmitting antenna.

By measuring the degree of impedance mismatch between the transmitterand the at least one transmitting antenna, the transmitter can detectimpedance mismatches throughout an entire wireless charging system. Thisallows it to take account of variations occurring in a receiver, forexample due to changes in the battery charge state without requiring anyintelligence in the receiver itself. Thus, the receiver can, if desired,be entirely non-active.

By “confine”, we mean that the electromagnetic radiation is not free topropagate beyond the charging zone as it would if propagating in freespace. It does not necessarily mean that no electromagnetic radiationpropagates beyond the charging zone, although that might be the case,for example, where the conductive structure is a Faraday cage.

In one embodiment, the conductive structure is a radiofrequency shieldedstructure within which the at least one transmitting antenna is located,the charging zone being located within an internal volume of theradiofrequency shielded structure.

The radio frequency shielded structure may have a removable portion toallow introduction of devices to be charged into the charging zone. Theradiofrequency structure could be a Faraday cage. The charging zone mayoccupy the entire internal volume or only a portion of it. A device tobe charged will usually be coupled to a receiver for receiving theelectromagnetic radiation before being introduced into the internalvolume of the radiofrequency shielded structure.

In another embodiment, the conductive structure defines a partiallyenclosed volume within which the at least one transmitting antenna islocated and which has an open region allowing for introduction of adevice to be charged into the partially enclosed volume, the chargingvolume occupying at least part of the partially enclosed volume.

The charging volume (also denoted hereinafter as: “charging zone”) maybe located entirely within the partially enclosed volume or it mayextend beyond the partially enclosed volume, for example in the vicinityof the open region.

In yet another embodiment, the conductive structure is a planarstructure on which the at least one transmitting antenna is located,whereby the charging zone occupies a volume surrounding the at least onetransmitting antenna.

A device to be charged may be placed on the planar structure within thecharging zone. The charging zone may be entirely over the planarstructure. Alternatively, it might extend to the edge of the planarstructure or beyond.

The charging zone preferably includes a region in which theelectromagnetic radiation is concentrated relative to the remainder ofthe charging zone. We refer to this region as the maximal energy volume(MEV), which is described later in this document and in detail in ourPCT application, published as WO 2013/179284, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

The at least one antenna may comprise an array of antennae, each ofwhich may be selected for emitting electromagnetic radiation to modifythe charging zone.

Each antenna in the array may be coupled to a dedicated power amplifierin the transmitter. Alternatively, each antenna in the array may beswitchably coupled to a single power amplifier. The modification of thecharging zone may involve modifications to the location and/or the shapeof the charging zone.

The at least one antenna may be an adaptive impedance transmittingantenna, the impedance of which is variable to modify the charging zone.

The modification of the charging zone may involve modifications to thelocation and/or the shape of the charging zone.

Modification of the charging zone as mentioned above affects the degreeof coupling between the transmitting antenna and a receiver. Thus, thedevice can enhance the strength of the coupling between a transmitterand receiver without requiring exact placement of the receiver relativeto the transmitting antenna and to take account of other factors such aschanges in ambient temperature or the presence of a parasitic (i.e.non-chargeable) load in the charging zone.

The detector typically monitors incident power transmitted to the atleast one transmitting antenna and reflected power received from the atleast one transmitting antenna, the ratio of these indicating theimpedance mismatch between the transmitter and the at least onetransmitting antenna.

The ratio of reflected power to incident power is the same as thereflection coefficient S11. The ratio may be calculated by a controlleror it may be derived by the detector itself, and may be referred to bythe amplitude and/or the phase, or both.

The wireless charging device typically further comprises a controllercoupled to the detector so as to receive a signal indicating the degreeof impedance mismatch from the detector.

The controller may be adapted to respond to calculate a reflectioncoefficient S11 from the degree of impedance mismatch and to cause thedevice to indicate the absence of a device to be charged in the chargingzone if the reflection coefficient S11 rises above a threshold value. Asthe impedance mismatch falls, the value of S11 rises and tends towardszero decibels. This is because it is the logarithm of the ratio of thereflected energy to the transmitted energy. As these two quantitiesbecome close, the value of S11 tends to zero decibels.

The controller may be adapted to respond to the degree of impedancemismatch falling below a threshold value by varying a transmissionfrequency at which the transmitter causes the at least one transmittingantenna to emit electromagnetic radiation over a frequency range andmeasuring the degree of impedance mismatch at a plurality of frequenciesacross the frequency range.

The threshold value is a predetermined value that may be part of thesetting of the charging device. Alternatively, the threshold value maybe set by the controller according to the condition of the chargingsession.

S11 parameter is described in the literature in various manners. Inaccordance with the present invention S11 is represented as alogarithmic ratio between the reflected power and the incident power.Accordingly, the threshold value is also represented as a logarithmicscale, and references that are made to values below or beyond thethreshold are also refer to the same logarithmic scale. Therefore, thereflection coefficient S11 will usually be used as the measure of thedegree of impedance mismatch.

The controller may be adapted to respond to the degree of impedancemismatch falling below the threshold value at at least some of theplurality of frequencies by causing the device to indicate the presenceof a non-chargeable, parasitic load in the charging zone. Thus, thecontroller may be adapted to respond in this way to the degree ofimpedance mismatch falling below the threshold value at each of theplurality of frequencies.

The controller may be adapted to respond to the degree of impedancemismatch falling below the threshold at each of a set of the pluralityof frequencies in a frequency region narrower than the frequency rangeby commencing a charging process. The frequency region defines acontiguous spread of frequencies within the frequency range.

In this case, the controller may be further adapted on commencement ofthe charging process to modify the power level at which the transmittercauses the at least one transmitting antenna to emit electromagneticradiation whilst monitoring the degree of impedance mismatch todetermine the power level at which the degree of impedance mismatchexhibits a peak and then setting the power level to that value.

Furthermore, the controller may be adapted during the charging processto monitor the degree of impedance mismatch and to respond to variationsin the degree of impedance mismatch in at least one of the followingways: a) by varying the power level at which the transmitter causes theat least one transmitting antenna to emit electromagnetic radiation; b)by varying the frequency at which the transmitter causes the at leastone transmitting antenna to emit electromagnetic radiation; c) bycontrolling an adaptive impedance matching unit coupled to thetransmitter and the transmitting antenna to match the impedance of thetransmitter and the transmitting antenna; and d) by coupling at leastone antenna of an antenna array to the transmitter and/or by adaptingthe impedance of an adaptive impedance antenna.

By way of example, as charging of a battery connected to a receiver,which is coupled electromagnetically to the wireless charging device,proceeds, the impedance mismatch typically increases and the controllermay respond to this by changing/modifying the power level and/or theadaptive impedance matching at which the transmitter causes the at leastone transmitting antenna to emit electromagnetic radiation.

The controller may be adapted to respond to the degree of impedancemismatch falling below the threshold at each of two sets of theplurality of frequencies, each set being in a frequency region narrowerthan the frequency range by commencing a multiple device chargingprocess.

In this case, the controller may be further adapted on commencement ofthe charging process to set the frequency and power level at which thetransmitter causes the at least one transmitting antenna to emitelectromagnetic radiation to a value between frequency values withineach set at which the impedance mismatch exhibits a peak. In addition tothe change of the frequency and power level, the controller may furtheradjust the adaptive impedance matching between the transmitter and thetransmitting antenna, and/or may further adapt the impedance of anadaptive impedance antenna when such antenna is incorporated in thecharging device.

The controller may be further adapted to respond to changes in impedancemismatch by adjusting the frequency and power level at which thetransmitter causes the at least one transmitting antenna to emitelectromagnetic radiation to a value closer to one of the two peaks thanthe other, and/or by adapting the impedance of an adaptive impedanceantenna.

The controller may be further adapted to decrease the power level atwhich the transmitter causes the at least one transmitting antenna toemit electromagnetic radiation from a starting value for a predefinedperiod of time before returning the power level to the starting value.

This enables measurement of the insertion loss S21 entirely from thewireless charging device without any interaction between this and thereceiver, as will be explained in detail later.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a wirelesscharging device for charging a chargeable unit, the device comprising apower transmitter coupled to a transmitting antenna for transmittingenergy to the chargeable unit, a monitor for monitoring a reflectioncoefficient S11 of the transmitting antenna, and a controller adapted torespond to the monitored S11 value in at least one of the followingways: a) by varying the power level at which the power transmittercauses the transmitting antenna to transmit energy; b) by varying thefrequency at which the power transmitter causes the transmitting antennato transmit energy; c) by controlling an adaptive impedance matchingunit coupled to the power transmitter and the transmitting antenna tomatch the impedance of the transmitter and the transmitting antenna; andd) by coupling at least one antenna of an antenna array to the powertransmitter and/or by adapting the impedance of an adaptive impedanceantenna coupled to the power transmitter.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a receiver for usewith a wireless charging device according to either of the first andsecond aspects, the receiver comprising a receiving antenna, a powerconditioning circuit adapted to receive an electrical signal from thereceiving antenna and condition the electrical signal into a formsuitable for charging or powering a load, and a connector for couplingthe power conditioning circuit to the load, in use.

Typically, the power conditioning circuit conditions the alternative(AC) electrical signal into a direct current (DC) suitable for charginga battery.

The power conditioning circuit may comprise an impedance matchingcircuit having only passive electrical components.

The receiver may further comprise a switch for interrupting thereception of the electrical output from the receiving antenna by thepower conditioning circuit.

This is another way of enabling measurement of the insertion loss S21entirely from the wireless charging device without any interactionbetween this and the receiver, as will be explained in detail later.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a wirelesscharging system comprising a wireless charging device according toeither of the first and second aspects and at least one receiveraccording to the third aspect.

The charging zone includes a region in which the electromagneticradiation is concentrated relative to the remainder of the chargingzone.

This region is the maximal energy volume mentioned above. It movesand/or changes shape (along with the charging zone), along with thelocation of the receiving unit within the charging zone, along withchanges to the power level received by the receiver (it is according tothe operation point of the power conditioning circuit in the receiver)and frequency at which the transmitter causes the at least onetransmitting antenna to emit electromagnetic radiation and the degree ofimpedance mismatch between the transmitter and the transmitting antenna,and/or according to the adapted impedance of the adaptive impedanceantenna during the charging process.

The controller in the wireless charging device may be further adapted tomonitor the charging state of a battery in a chargeable unit coupled tothe receiver by monitoring changes in the degree of impedance mismatchand to vary the power level and/or frequency at which the transmittercauses the at least one transmitting antenna and/or to adapt theadaptive impedance antenna, to emit electromagnetic radiation and/or tocontrol an adaptive impedance matching unit coupled to the transmitterand the transmitting antenna to match the impedance of the transmitterand the transmitting antenna.

The controller in the wireless charging device may be further adapted todecrease the power level at which the transmitter causes the at leastone transmitting antenna to emit electromagnetic radiation from astarting value for a predefined period of time before returning thepower level to the starting value.

This enables measurement of the insertion loss S21 entirely from thewireless charging device without any interaction between this and thereceiver, as will be explained in detail later.

The controller in the wireless charging device may be adapted todetermine an insertion loss S21 value by calculating the ratio of thedifference in the values of S11 during the predefined period and priorto the predefined period to the value of S11 prior to the predefinedperiod. The difference in the values of S11 during the predefined periodand prior to the predefined period provides an indication of the energyactually received by a device being charged and calculation of the ratioof this difference to the value of S11 prior to the predefined periodresults in an indication of the insertion loss S21.

The invention provides a charging unit that, by detecting the degree ofimpedance mismatch (typically by monitoring and analyzing thetransmitted power and the reflected power), can control the frequencyand/or power of energy transmitted to a receiver to ensure optimalcoupling between the two, thereby ensuring efficient power transfer fromthe charging unit to the receiver.

To address these and potentially other issues with currently availablesolutions, one or more implementations of the current subject matterprovide methods, systems, articles or manufacture, and the like thatcan, among other possible advantages, provide non-active and basicdesigns for the charging units and chargeable devices that eliminate theneed for any active components within the receiving unit (CPU,controller, and such). The system and method can use of passive andbasic receiving unit without the necessity to include active units orcontrol units within the receiving unit. The advantages ofimplementations of the current subject matter can include improvedenergy transfer efficiency, reduced power consumption, and a reductionin size and complexity of the circuitry and design of the device to becharged, as well as the charging unit.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matterdisclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain someof the principles associated with the disclosed implementations. In thedrawings,

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the components of a wirelesscharging system for wirelessly charging a device;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the wireless charging systemof FIG. 1, with the device under charge or battery, positioned withinthe charging zone;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the wireless charging systemof FIG. 1, with detailed component descriptions;

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a closed conductive wirelesscharging device implementation of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 4B-1, 4B-2, 4C-1, and 4C-2 are schematic diagrams illustrating theinfluence that environmental factors in the surroundings can have on thesize, shape and position of the charging zone and the maximal energyvolume;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a charging system comprisinga transmitting unit having two transmitting sub-units and twotransmitting antennas;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless charging systemcomprising an adaptive impedance transmitting antenna configured toallow changing the size and impedance of the antenna while maintainingthe same distance from the receiving antenna;

FIGS. 7-11 are Smith charts illustrating the antennas impedance andgraphs illustrating the units return loss of the charging system setupof FIG. 1;

FIGS. 12-16 are Smith charts illustrating the antennas impedance andgraphs illustrating the units return loss of the charging system setupof FIG. 2, in which the device under charge is located within thecharging zone;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are graphs illustrating the energy transfer efficiencybetween the transmitting unit and receiving unit of the charging systemof FIG. 3, in accordance with the two setups illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2 respectively;

FIGS. 18 to 26 are Smith charts illustrating the antennas impedance andgraphs illustrating the units return loss of the charging system setupof FIG. 5, illustrating a charging system having a transmitting antennaarray with two transmitting sub units, when both units are locatedwithin the charging zone, and there is coupling and mutual influencebetween the transmitting antennas and the receiving antenna;

FIGS. 27A and 27B are schematic diagrams illustrating the energytransfer efficiency between the transmitting units and receiving unit;

FIGS. 28-32 are Smith charts illustrating the antennas impedance andgraphs illustrating the units return loss of the charging system setupof FIG. 6;

FIG. 33 is a graph illustrating the energy transfer efficiency betweenthe transmitting unit and receiving unit.

FIGS. 34-38 are schematic illustrations of the wireless charging systemof FIG. 1 following adaptive impedance matching process that isperformed after the electromagnetic parameters of the system are allset;

FIGS. 39 and 40 are graphs illustrating the return loss for tworeceivers, in multiple devices under charge scenario;

FIG. 41 is a graph illustrating the transmitting unit return loss.

FIG. 42 is a graph illustrating the common compliance point that isideal to both receiving units on a return loss diagram.

When practical, similar reference numbers denote similar structures,features, or elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter described herein relates to a system and method forwirelessly charging a device. Radio frequency energy can be deliveredwirelessly to provide power to a device. Electromagnetic energy can betransmitted from a charging unit, received at a device being charged,and converted into direct current (DC) voltage suitable for charging abattery on the device. There is a need to improve the power transferefficiency in wireless charging systems in order to minimize energy lossduring the energy transfer and the charging process. This can beimplemented by controlling and adapting the energy transfer process froma unit performing the charging to a device being wirelessly charged.

Power transfer efficiency can be improved using adaptive impedancematching circuits that can be used to adjust the impedance at an antennaof the device receiving the electromagnetic energy to a variety of inputpower levels. Adaptive impedance matching requires active procedures inorder to keep the charging unit in its optimal operation point in orderto maintain the highest RF to DC conversion efficiency.

There is a call in the industry to minimize the complexity of devicesand components used in wireless charging, as well as to minimize thepower consumption of receiving circuitry in devices to be charged.

Following is a description, by way of example only and with reference tothe accompanying figure which are a diagrammatic representation, of onemethod of carrying the current subject matter into effect.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the components of a wirelesscharging system 100 for wirelessly charging a device. System 100 caninclude at least a transmitting unit 101 and at least one receiving unit102.

The transmitting unit 101 can be a charging device used to wirelesslycharge another device. Alternatively, the transmitting unit 101 can be acomponent of a charging device. The transmitting unit 101 can include atleast a transmitting antenna 110 and a transmitting sub-unit 112. Thetransmitting sub-unit 112 can be configured and operable to generateRadio Frequency (RF) signals at various different frequencies within afrequency range, and to transfer the RF signals to the transmittingantenna 110. The transmitting antenna 110 can then transmit the RFsignals to a receiving antenna 120, physically residing within acharging zone.

The receiving unit 102 is a device that is chargeable. Alternatively,the receiving unit 102 can be a component of or coupled to a device thatcan be charged (device under charge “DUC”) 300. The receiving unit 102can include at least a receiving antenna 120 and a receiving sub-unit122. Receiving unit 102 can be functionally connected to an optionalsecondary cell or battery 124. The receiving unit 102 and the secondarycell 124 are preferably located within a device under charge (DUC) 300.In alternative implementations, the receiving unit 102 and the secondarycell 124 can be located outside a device under charge 300, and can bephysically connected by cables, or connectors and such, to the deviceunder charge 300. The receiving sub-unit 122 can be configured andoperable to receive RF signals from the receiving antenna 120 and canconvert it into DC power.

The term “receiving unit” refers to the unit and circuits that areconfigured and operable to receive electromagnetic energy transmittedfrom a transmitting unit, and to convert the received energy into a DCvoltage suitable for charging a secondary cell and/or operating anelectronic device.

In FIG. 1 the device 300, as well as the battery 124, is shownpositioned outside of the charging zone 130 of the wireless chargingsystem 100. In this setup the device 300 that contains the receivingunit 102 is located outside the charging zone 130 that can be definedmainly with respect to transmitting antenna 110. In this scenario, thereis no coupling between the transmitting antenna 110 and the receivingantenna 120, and there is no interaction between the antennas. As aresult, there may be no functional charging taking place.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating part of the wireless chargingsystem of FIG. 1, with the device under charge 300 (or battery)positioned within the charging zone 130. In this scenario, there iscoupling and mutual influence between the transmitting antenna 110 andthe receiving antenna 120. In this manner, radio frequency energy fromthe charging unit can be transmitted to the receiving unit withcapabilities of monitoring, adjusting, and controlling the energytransfer and the charging process of a battery that is connected to thereceiving unit in a near field and/or a coupling region. As long as thetransmitting unit 101 in the charging unit, and the receiving unit 102attached to/comprised within the device under charge are implementedusing a compatible wireless charging protocol, the receiving unit can becharged without a need for connecting compatible connectors andinterfaces for charging. Instead, the non-active receiving unit needonly be placed within the wireless charging zone 130.

The receiving unit 102 can be implemented such that the need foractive/adaptive/programmed elements can be eliminated in the receivingunit 102 of a device to be charged. The energy transfer from thetransmitting unit 101 to the receiving unit 102, and the chargingprocess of the secondary cell by the receiving unit can be controlledand managed entirely by adapting the transmitting profile to the entiresystem condition and requirement.

The energy transfer process from the transmitting unit 101 to thereceiving unit 102 in a wireless charging system can be controlled andadapted for monitoring the entire charging process of the secondary cellby the receiving unit via a control unit that is functionally positionedin the transmitting unit, preferably within a wireless charging device.

Energy transfer efficiency can be improved by maintaining in real time,maximal power transferring efficiency between the transmitting unit andthe receiving unit for any given situation and during the chargingprocess. Thus, the charging process can be updated in real time.

Power consumption can be reduced by eliminating active units in thereceiving unit required for operation of power circuits. When there is apresence of active units, the receiver may consume more power than theamount of power that is required for charging the battery. Therefore,non-active receiving components can allow the power consumption to besubstantially reduced. Furthermore, the power consumption can be reducedbecause the charging process is not necessarily performed using aconstant amount of power. Rather, the charging can adjust and follow thebattery charging profile and condition in real time, and the powerprovided is the exact amount of power required at a specific point intime. This leads to energy saving as no excess power is wasted.

In order to fit into many smaller devices, the receiving unit 102 needsto be as small as possible. For example, small enough to fit on ahearing aid that can fit into a person's ear. Since active componentsrequire a controller/CPU for management, it is difficult to design andimplement active components in a small circuit or small chip. Therefore,using passive receiving components can reduce circuit and chip sizerequirements.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the wireless charging systemof FIG. 1, with detailed component descriptions. The transmittingsub-unit 112 of the transmitting unit 101 can include at least atransmitter 113, a controller 114, reflection coefficient/return loss(S11) monitor (such as bi-directional coupler) 116, and an AIM (AdaptiveImpedance Matching) unit 118. The S11 monitor 116 can be operablyconnected to the transmitter 113, and can receive signals and data fromthe transmitter 113. The S11 monitor can also be operably connected tothe AIM unit 118 can receive and send signals and data to and from theAIM unit 118. The S11 monitor can then use the signals and data that itreceives to measure and monitor the transmitter return loss S11 from thetransmitter 113 and/or from the transmitting antenna 110. The S11monitor 116 can also be operably connected to the controller 114. Thecontroller 114 and AIM unit 118 can in turn be operably connected toeach other, thereby creating a feedback loop between the S11 monitor116, the controller 114 and the AIM unit 118, whereby the S11 monitor116, the AIM unit 118 and controller 114 can adapt the impedance, andhence the S11 return loss of the transmitter 113. It is understood thatthe transmitter 113, the S11 monitor 116, the controller 114 and the AIMunit 118 can be implemented on one computing device including aprocessor and programmable instructions. Alternatively the notedcomponents may be implements on a number of connected computing deviceseach including a processor and programmable instructions.

In more detail, the transmitting sub-unit 112 comprises a transmitter113 that is coupled via a S11 monitor 116 (a bi-directional coupler) andadaptive impedance matching unit 118 to transmitting antenna 110. Acontroller 114 (such as a suitably configured microcontroller or fieldprogrammable gate array) receives signals indicating the value of S11from the S11 monitor 116 and controls the frequency and power of thesignal issued by transmitter 113 to transmitting antenna 110 andadaptive impedance matching unit 118 accordingly.

The controller 114 may also select different or additional transmittingantenna elements for transmitting the signal from transmitter 113 whenthe transmitting antenna 110 is an array of antennas. Similarly, theimpedance of the antenna 110 may be varied when this is an adaptiveimpedance antenna. In either case, this leads to a control over theshape and size of the charging zone.

By monitoring the value of S11 and its variations with frequency and/orpower, the controller 114 can determine if a device in the charging zoneis a parasitic load or a genuine device capable of being charged, i.e. areceiving unit 102.

The receiving unit 102 receives electromagnetic energy transmitted fromtransmitting unit 101 (when it is in the charging zone) and converts itto a form suitable for charging the secondary cell 124 in the receiver123. The receiver 123 comprises a power conditioning circuit, whichcarries out this function. Typically, the power conditioning circuitcomprises a passive circuit for matching the impedance of the receivingantenna 120 to that of charging circuitry for charging the secondarycell 124. The charging circuitry typically comprises active circuitry,such as a rectifier diode, for rectifying the alternating current signalreceived from the antenna 120 and converting it into a direct currentsuitable for charging the secondary cell 124.

The receiving sub-unit 122 of the receiving unit 102 can include atleast a receiver 123. The receiving sub-unit 122 can be connected toreceiving antenna 120. Receiving unit 102 can be functionally connectedto the secondary cell/battery 124. Also shown in this figure is thecharging zone 130, within which the receiving antenna should reside inorder to enable the charging of the device under charge 300.

The components that can be included in the design of transmitting unit101 can have respective impedances. For example, the transmittingantenna 110 can have impedance denoted by “Zta”, and the transmitter 113can have impedance denoted by “Ztran”. The transmitting unit 101 canhave total impedance denoted by “Ztx”. As a result of the mismatchesbetween the impedances of different components that can be part of thetransmitting unit 101, as well as other factors, the transmitting unit101 can have a return loss, denoted by “S11”, when transmitting a signalout from the transmitting unit 101. In other words “S11” can denote theentire return loss of the transmitting unit 101 when transmitting asignal or power.

Similarly, the components that can be included in the design ofreceiving unit 102 can have respective impedances. For example, thereceiving antenna 120 can have impedance denoted by “Zra”, and thereceiver 123 (including battery 124) can have an impedance denoted by“Zrecv”. The receiving unit 102 can have a total impedance denoted by“Zrx”. As a result of the mismatches between the impedances of differentcomponents that can be part of the receiving unit 102, as well as otherfactors, the receiving unit 102 can have a return loss, denoted by“S22”, when receiving a signal. In other words “S22” can denote theentire return loss of the receiving unit 102 when receiving a signal orpower.

It is important to note that the charging device does not actually makea measurement of S22; it works by measurement of S11 alone. To measureS22 would require additional functionality in the receiving unit 102 andcommunication between the transmitting unit 101 and receiving unit 102.When there is no receiving unit 102 in the charging zone, the entiretransmitted energy from the transmitter 113 is reflected. However, whena receiving unit 102 is present in the charging zone, it receives energyfrom the transmitter 113 and the amount of reflected energy reducessignificantly. This is detectable from S11 alone using the S11 monitor116 in transmitting sub-unit 112. It is therefore not necessary tomeasure S22, although its behavior can be inferred (as indicated in thisspecification) from measurement of S11.

In addition to the internal transmitting unit 101 loss (S11), and theinternal receiver unit 102 loss (S22), there can be additional lossesdue to mismatched impedances between the transmitting unit 101 totalimpedance (Ztx) and receiver unit 102 total impedance (Zrx), when asignal is sent from the transmitting unit 101 to the receiver unit 102.These insertion losses affect the transfer efficiency of signals betweenthe transmitting and receiving units, as can be denoted as “S21” and“S12”, respectively.

At the beginning of the charging process the transmitting unit 101 canbe configured to a certain specific frequency and matched to a frequencyof the receiving unit 102. At this operating state the return loss S11and S22 values can be small as the return waves reflecting from thetransmitting signals are minor. Accordingly, the values of the transferefficiencies S21 and S12 are high as the transmitted signals are fullyor almost fully transferred and received by the receiving antenna 120.During the charging process as the secondary cell 124 accumulates chargeand obtains resistance, the impedance of the receiver 123 can change,and consequently the total impedance of the receiving unit 102 (Zrx)also changes, and the value of the receiving unit loss S22 changesaccordingly. Since in system 100 the receiver unit 102 and thetransmitting unit 101 operate very close to each other, the change inthe value of receiving unit loss S22 affects the values of transmissionefficiencies S21 and S12, as well as the value of the transmitting unitloss S11. As a result, the system 100 can become impedance unmatched,which can result in the bouncing back of transmitted signals, the lossincreases, and there is a reduction in efficiency of the chargingprocess.

The total impedance of the receiving unit 102 (Zrt) can be affected bymany factors. Such factors can include any state change of the chargingload (secondary cell 124), or any offset of the receiving unit 102 froman operational or electrical change (for example: current, voltage, orimpedance) or mechanical change (for example: temperature, otherphysical objects positioned in the proximity of the receiving antennathat may cause changes in the antenna impedance (Zra) by virtue of theirpresence). Thus, any change that occurs in the total impedance of thereceiving unit (Zrt) can lead to changes in the receiving unit's returnloss (S22).

Furthermore, a change to the receiving unit 102 return loss (S22) canchange the coupling coefficient for transfer efficiency (S21) betweenthe antennas and the entire units. The altered coupling coefficient(S21′) can be reflected to the transmitting unit 101 and canconsequently change the return loss (S11′) and the impedance of thetransmitting unit 101 (Ztx′). Thus, the change of the impedance of thetransmitting unit (Ztx′) due to a changed transmitting unit return loss(S11′) can cause impedance mismatch between the transmitter impedance(Ztran) and the transmitting antenna (Zta).

In order to obviate this mismatched impedance state, and to keep thesystem 100 in a matched, high transfer efficient status, a method can beimplemented in accordance with the current subject matter, to monitorand control the charging process of the secondary cell 124, by decodingthe behavioral electromagnetic connection between the transmitting unit101, and the receiving unit 102. This may be achieved by the controllerof the transmitting unit 101 monitoring the transmitting unit returnloss (S11 and S11′) that leads to impedance mismatch between thetransmitter impedance (Ztran) and the transmitting antenna impedance(Zta). The controller can monitor the loss of the secondary cell 124,the receiver 123, the receiving antenna 120, and the entire state of thereceiving unit 102.

The values of S11 measured by the S11 monitor 116 during the chargingprocess, can be delivered to the controller 114 that upon detection of achange in the value of this parameter can control the adaptive impedancematching (AIM) unit 118 to match the impedance of the transmitting unit101 such that the values of S11 and S22 will decrease. As a result, thecoupling coefficient can be returned to a high transfer efficiency(S21/S12) state. The controller 114 is further connected to thetransmitter 113 and can be configured to control the transmittingprofile according to the state of the detected charging process and thespecific needs of the secondary cell 124 and its charging profile.

Therefore, based on the information obtained, the controller 114 cantrack and make the necessary changes in the impedance matching networkbetween the transmitter 113 impedance (Ztrans′) and the transmittingantenna 110 impedance (Zta′). In this way the receiving unit 102 can besupplied with the required amount of power to charge the secondary cell124 according to its new condition/requirement, and the highest transferefficiency coefficient (S21) can be achieved between the transmittingand the receiving units and antennas (maintain the strong couplingcoefficient).

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a closed conductive wirelesscharging device implementation of FIG. 3. The system 400 includes aclosed charging device 410, which includes the transmitting unit 101(not shown) of FIG. 3 with transmitting antenna 110. A charging zone 130is shown as a cylindrical volume. A maximum energy volume (MEV) 132 isshown, which is the optimal charging volume. The charging zone is thearea or volume in which charging may occur (i.e. coupling between thetransmitting antenna 110 and the receiving antenna 120). In a closedcharging device 410, the dimensions and geometry of the device 410 candetermine the charging zone 130, based on the transmission frequency.Within the charging zone 130, a maximal energy volume (MEV) 132 candevelop, which is a volume where the maximal energy can be concentratedfrom the total energy transmitted by the transmitting antenna.Therefore, while charging may occur in the charging zone 130, themaximal energy volume (MEV) 132 is the functional area in which thecharging can physically occur. The MEV 132 is also affected by the typeof antennas in use i.e. their impedance and the distance between theantennas, and the charging frequency.

The charging process can be performed in the closed wireless chargingdevice 410 as described in WO 2013/179284 of the same inventor,incorporated herein by reference. In accordance with other aspects ofthe invention the charging can be conducted in a semi closed wirelesscharging device or on an open charging board as shown in FIGS. 4B-1,4B-2, 4C-1, and 4C-2. These figures are schematic diagrams illustratingthe influence that environmental factors in the surroundings can have onthe size, shape and position of the charging zone 130 and the maximalenergy volume MEV 132, for the same transmitting antenna 110 andreceiving antenna 120 setup. FIGS. 4B-1 and 4B-2 illustrate ansemi-closed charging device 420, with FIG. 4B-2 illustrating chargingzone 130 positions. FIGS. 4C-1 and 4C-2 illustrate a charging board 440,with FIG. 4C-2 illustrating multiple charging zone 130 positions. In aclosed charging device the dimensions of the charging zone are limitedby the size of the wireless charging device relative to the semi-closedcharging device and the open charging board. FIGS. 4B-2 and 4C-2illustrates how the charging zone 130 can be moved and/or changed involume under the influence of adjustments made by controller 114 toaccommodate different locations of a device to be charged within thecharging zone 130.

In the closed electromagnetic conductive charging device 410, threebasic considerations can be taken into account: the inner cavity designof the closed charging device (i.e. size and geometry) should besuitable for the transmitting frequency, the closed charging device 410should have dimensions suitable to fit the secondary cell or the deviceunder charge 300, and the dimensions of the inner cavity of the closedcharging device 410 should be suitable to accommodate the charging zone130.

Another parameter that can be considered concerns the characteristics ofthe transmitting antenna 110 and the receiving antenna 120. Theseantenna characteristics can include being able to operate with thefrequency chosen for delivering the RF energy from the transmitting unit101 to the receiving unit 102, and being able to operate within thecharging zone 130, such that the antennas can have a mutual influence oneach other within the charging zone.

According to another implementation of the current subject matter, thetransmitting unit 101 can recognize at least one device to be chargedwithin the charging zone 130. Therefore, the system and methods of thecurrent subject matter can recognize whether a charging device 410 isempty, or if a device to be charged is present within the charging zone130.

When the transmitting unit 101 and the receiving unit 102 are notadjacent to each other the transmitter 113 may not cause RF energy to betransmitted, and the receiver 123 may not receive RF energy, and both ofthe return loss parameters S11 and S22 values may be 0 db.

When the transmitter 113 is connected to a transmitting antenna 110, acharging zone 130 can be defined by the volume within which a possibleconnection between the transmitting unit 101 and the receiver 102 may beestablished. This potential volume depends on the “effective distance”between the transmitting antenna 110 and the receiving antenna 120. By“effective distance” as used herein is meant the maximum distancebetween the transmitting antenna 110 and the receiving antenna 120, inwhich the presence of the receiving antenna 120 can electromagneticallyinfluence the transmitting antenna 110, and vice versa. The effectivedistance is the outer boundary defining the charging zone 130. Thecharging zone of the antennas may also be affected by the surroundingsof the antennas, where the same antennas in different environments mayyield different charging zones. For example, different environments caninclude a closed metallic box, a semi closed metallic box, and opencharging box, as shown in FIGS. 4A-C respectively. This mutual influencebetween the transmitting antenna 110 and the receiving antenna 120 canbe used to identify different conditions in the surroundings.

In a closed charging device 410, including a transmitting unit 101, buthaving no device under charge 300 (DUC) or another object therewithin(i.e. no receiving unit 102), the impedance (Zta) of the transmittingantenna 110 is unmatched. The transmitting antenna 110 impedance (Zta)will be very low, and the transmitting unit return loss S11 thereforetends to zero.S11=0 dB(RL (db)=10 log Pb Pf)where Pf is the forward power transmitted, and Pb is the back powerreflected back to the transmitting unit 101. (i.e. the transmittingantenna 110 may not be coupled to any consumer and therefore may beunmatched to the transmitting unit 101). Thus, all the incident power(forward) that should be transmitted is reflected (backward) to thetransmitting unit 101. In this scenario, the device under charge (DUC)300 is positioned outside the charging device 410. Therefore, thereceiving antenna 120 is not coupled to any transmitting antenna 110 andtherefore, the impedance of the receiving antenna (Zra) is unmatched.The receiving antenna impedance Zra will be very high;S22=0 dB(RL (db)=10 log Pb Pf)

When the transmitting unit return loss S11 value is zero, the controller114 of the transmitting unit 101 interprets this situation as theabsence of a device to be charged in the vicinity. Furthermore, when thecontroller 114 determines that the value of the transmitting unit returnloss S11 equals zero, the controller can conclude that the device to becharged 300 is outside of the charging zone 130 (S22=0 db).

Upon placing the device under charge (DUC) 300, or a battery connectedto a receiving unit 102, into the closed charging device 410, thetransmission of RF energy from the transmitting unit 101 to thereceiving unit 102 becomes possible. The transmitting antenna 110 andthe receiving antenna 120 can have mutual influence on each other, andtheir impedances Zta and Zra can change. Coupling between the antennascan be established and can lead to matching conditions between thetransmitting unit 101 and the receiving unit 102 that can enable maximalenergy transfer between the units in the following manner.

Once coupling between the transmitting antenna 110 and the receivingantenna 120 occurs due to a mutual influence between the antennas, theimpedance of each antenna can change. The transmitting antenna 110impedance Zta and the receiving antenna 120 impedance Zra may not bereflected as an open/short circuit, but rather as impedance that canlead to the creation of matching conditions between the antennas.

This matching condition between the transmitting antenna 110 and thereceiving antenna 120 can decrease the insertion loss:(IL (db)=10 log PrPt)of the energy path. Therefore, the ratio between the output power thatis received in the receiving antenna terminal and the input power thatis being delivered to the transmitting antenna terminal (Pr/Pt), canincrease such that the S21 value (db) can become less negative (→0 db).

The new transmitting antenna impedance condition Zta can lead to amatching condition between the transmitting antenna 110 and thetransmitting sub-unit 112. This matching condition can decrease thereturn loss S11 of the entire transmitting unit 101. Therefore the ratiobetween the reflected power (backward) to the incident power (forward)(Pb/Pf) can decrease due to a reduction in the amount of power that isbeing reflected. The transmitting unit 101 return loss S11 value (db)can become more negative (<<0 db) and more energy can be transferredfrom the transmitting unit 101 to the transmitting antenna 110.

The new receiving antenna impedance Zra can lead to a matching conditionbetween the receiving antenna 120 and the receiving sub-unit 122 onlywhen the power conditioning circuit met its operation point. Thismatching condition can decrease the return loss of the entire receivingunit 102. Therefore, the ratio between the reflected received power(backward) to the incident received power (forward) can decrease due toa reduction in the power that is reflected. Therefore, the S22 (db)value becomes more negative (<<0 db) and more energy can be transferredfrom the receiving antenna to the receiving sub-unit.

Upon insertion of a receiving unit 102 into a charging device 410, 420,or 440, that contains the transmitting unit 101, the coupling betweenthe two units may initially be poor. In this scenario it may not bepossible to deliver energy efficiently between the two units. Uponestablishing mutual influence between the two units under control bycontroller 114 of the transmitter 113 (for example, the power and/orfrequency of transmission) and/or selection of different or additionalantennae in an array of antennae and/or adjusting the impedance of theantenna and/or matching the impedance of the transmitter 113 and antennaby way of the adaptive impedance matching unit 118, the efficienttransfer of energy can be allowed.

According to another implementation of the current subject matter, thetransmitting unit 101 can distinguish between a chargeable device and anon-chargeable device. The transmitting unit 101 can recognize thepresence of a chargeable device 300 comprising the receiving unit 102,and can distinguish between such a chargeable device and other devicesthat are not competent for charging according to the system and methodsof the current subject matter.

When a device to be charged 300 is positioned in the charging zone 130,both parameters S11 and S22 have frequency profiles as illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 16 respectively. Each profile correspond to the responsefrom the receiving unit and the transmitting unit, respectively. Asshown in the figures, S11 as well as S22 have a peak at the operatingfrequency, which is typically in the range of 2.4 to 2.4835 GHz, but indifferent embodiments a wider or narrower range could be used,potentially centered on a different frequency.

In a scenario that a non-chargeable device is positioned in the chargingzone, the S11 profiles may also have a peak value, either in thetransmitting frequency or in other frequencies. Alternatively, if theobject is absorbing the energy transmitted, the profile may be constantand not frequency dependent. The transmitting unit 101 may perform anidentification process by performing a sweep by transmitting signalsover a spectrum of frequencies. Specifically, the controller 114 of thetransmitting unit 101 is adapted to respond to the degree of impedancemismatch falling below a threshold value by varying a transmissionfrequency at which the transmitter causes the at least one transmittingantenna to emit electromagnetic radiation over a frequency range andmeasuring the degree of impedance mismatch at a plurality of frequenciesacross the frequency range. This is performed in order to identify if adevice contains a chargeable receiving unit 102 based on the obtainedsignal being within a range that is defined to correspond to thetransmitting unit 101.

Thus, it is possible to distinguish a chargeable device from anon-chargeable device by monitoring the S11 parameter. When the chargingzone 130 is empty, the S11 parameter is as shown in FIG. 9. When adevice to be charged is placed in the charging zone 130, S11 changes. Ifthe device placed in the charging zone 130 is non-chargeable devicethere could be two possible scenarios. The first is that S11 will havethe same or substantially the same value over the entire frequencyrange. In this case the device acts the same at all frequencies in theentire frequency range and receives power regardless of the frequencyand the transmitted power level. To determine this, the controller 114causes the transmitter 113 to conduct a frequency sweep to see if S11changes with frequency and to increase the power level of transmitter113 in order to see if S11 changes according to the changes of the powerlevel. Since the receiving unit 102 contains a rectifier unit, whoseimpedance depends on the received power level, changes to thetransmitted power level that cause the rectifier unit to beginconducting reduce S22 and as a result S11 is also reduced. However, ifthe value of S11 is invariant with frequency and power, the controller114 can determine that the device in the charging zone is non-chargeableand merely a parasitic load.

The second scenario is that the measurement of S11 shows a response thatindicates that the device in the charging zone is chargeable (FIG. 14)(i.e. the value of S11 is not invariant with frequency and/or power). Inthis case, the controller 114 causes transmitter 113 to apply a powersweep at the frequency that gave the best S11 results. If the device ischargeable, the rectifier in the conduction of the receiving unit 102will depend on the received power level and hence the value of S22 willvary with the power level. This can be detected by the controller 114 asa variation in S11, which confirms that the device in the charging zoneis chargeable.

If the signal obtained is within the defined range that is suitable tothe profile of the receiving unit 102, there is an additional step inthe identification process. This step can be based on two parameters.

The first parameter is the compliance range of S11. In order to discoverthe compliance range of S11, the controller 114 can check where the peakevent is located (i.e. what is the frequency range of the peak).

The controller 114 in the transmitting unit 101 is adapted to respond toa reflection coefficient S11 from the degree of impedance mismatch andto cause the charging device to indicate the absence of a device to becharged in the charging zone if the reflection coefficient S11 risesabove a defined threshold value. As has been explained previously, thevalue of S11 tends to zero as more of the transmitted energy isreflected (which occurs when there is no device to be charged in thecharging zone) because S11 is the ratio of the reflected and thetransmitted energy expressed in decibels.

When comparing S11 to threshold values, the controller 114 operates inone of two ways. Initially, the value of S11 is compared to a predefinethreshold in order to detect a peak in the S11 frequency profile. Inthis case, the controller 114 causes the transmitter 113 to sweepingover the operating frequency band (typically 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz) andif it receives a S11 reading that is below the predefined threshold.There can be several different predefined threshold levels that can beused for comparison with S11 values by the controller 114 in order toincrease the accuracy of detection of a peak.

After the initial comparison has been made and a peak detected, thecontroller 114 causes the transmitter 113 to sweep over the operatingfrequency band and compare the current S11 value to a previous value. Inthis case the system is searching for changes in the S11 value in orderto detect a peak in the S11 frequency profile.

Thus, the comparison of S11 values against thresholds can be used todetermine if a device to be charged is present in the charging zone andfurthermore to detect (and allow adaptation to) the correct conditionsfor the charging process in terms of frequency and/or power oftransmission from transmitting antenna 110, impedance matching betweenthe transmitter 113 and transmitting antenna 110 (using the adaptiveimpedance matching unit 118) and control of antenna impedance and/orselection of antennas in an antenna array.

The threshold can be adapted in real time according to initialconditions by continuing comparison of S11 values to previous values.

The second parameter is the duration of the compliance relative to thefrequency, which is determined in the following manner. If the S11parameter is disturbed during the entire compliance range it means thatthere is a constant absorbance of energy with no dependence on thetransmission frequency. Specifically, the controller 114 of thetransmitting unit 101 is adapted to respond to the degree of impedancemismatch falling below the threshold value for the S11 return loss ateach of the plurality of frequencies thus causing the device to indicatethe presence of a non-chargeable, parasitic load in the charging zone.Such a behavior may be suitable for a mass of plastic and/or metal andis unrelated to charging.

Furthermore, the controller 114 is adapted to respond to the degree ofimpedance mismatch falling below the threshold at each of a set of theplurality of frequencies in a frequency region narrower than thefrequency range by commencing the charging process.

Since the system is configured to operate at a certain power, thereceiving antenna 120 has an optimal operating point. Therefore, thereis a specific frequency at which the receiving unit 102 is configured toreceive more RF energy than at other frequencies. In other words, thesystem is frequency dependent, and thus, only at a certain frequencywill the system be at an optimal operation point. When the receivingantenna 120 enters into the charging zone 130, a change in the S11parameter occurs and as a response, the transmitting unit 101 canelevate the transmission power that leads to an improvement in the S11value. This occurs as a result of the activation of the powerconditioning circuit that results in improving the transmissionefficiency. (As a result, the value of S22 parameter is also improved.)The difference between the forward power and the reflected power at thispoint will be maximal. The change in S11 and S22 depending on the powervalue is possible only if the object to be charged that is inserted intothe charging zone comprises a valid receiving unit 102 of the currentsubject matter. In all other non-chargeable objects the value of S11will remain unchanged.

According to another implementation of the current subject matter, thesystem 100 can monitor the energy delivery between the transmitting unit101 and the receiving unit 102. This can be performed by monitoring andanalyzing the S11 value, where the lower the value of S11, the greaterthe amount of energy delivered and the efficiency of energy transfer.The S11 parameter can be used in accordance with the proposed subjectmanner, to measure the charging efficiency. Thus, there is a need tomake sure that the transmitted RF energy reaches the receiving unit andis not absorbed by another unit (parasitic load) in the charging zone.This is because the S11 parameter provides an indication of the amountof power that is received by the entire system (including the deviceunder charge) relative to the total transmitted power (the powerreceived by the system is the power that is not reflect back to thetransmitter Preceive=Ptotal−Preflect). The current subject matter canprovide two exemplifying configurations and methods that can allowmonitoring the energy that is functionally received by the receivingunit 102.

In the first configuration, S11 is monitored by changing the power inthe transmitting unit solely by the controller, which causes a diode orother rectifying unit in the receiving unit 102 to reach its operatingpoint (when the receiving unit 102 can efficiently convert received RFenergy to DC for charging a battery). In this configuration, after thereceiving unit 102 has reached its operating point with the impedance ofthe system matched, the controller can be configured to serve as aswitching unit such that the controller can instruct the transmittingunit to decrease the transmission power drastically. This ensures thatthe diode is out of its operating point (S22=0 db), for a pre-determinedperiod of time. In this configuration, the measured value of S11provides an indication of the total loss of the system (the loss occursby uptake of the charging device (loss occurs) that arises as a resultof components of the device under charge (DUC) other than the receivingunit that is functionally disconnected). The value obtained can becompared with the S11 value obtained in maximal transmission power andthe difference between the two values provides a measure of the actualamount of energy received by the receiving unit.

In the second configuration, S11 value is monitored by switching off thereceiving antenna using a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) ora controller in the receiving unit. In this configuration, once thereceiving unit has reached the optimal working mode (the diode reachedthe operation point) and the impedance of the system is matched, thePMIC or another controller in the receiving unit is operated to switchoff the receiving antenna. The new S11′ value obtained at this timepoint can reflect the total loss of the system (the loss occurs due tothe uptake of the charging device and by components of the device undercharge (DUC) other than the receiving unit that is functionallydisconnected). The S11′ value obtained can be compared with the S11value obtained in maximal transmission power and the difference betweenthe two values provides the actual amount of energy received by thereceiving unit.

In accordance with the current subject matter, the dimensions of thecharging device, whether it is a closed conductive box, a semi-closedbox, or an open charging board, are predetermined and thus can beconsidered to be constant parameters. Consequently, the impedance of theantennas is determined mainly based on the distance between thetransmitting and the receiving antennas that can have an effect on theirmutual influence and impedance. This can be in addition to surroundingfactors such as metals and dielectric bodies within the surroundingsthat can have an electromagnetic influence on antenna impedance. Assuch, the presence of the conductive and dielectric components insidethe charging zone can have an influence on the antenna impedance and thecoupling coefficients S12 and S21 between the antennas. The conductiveand dielectric components' influences can also be considered asconstants. Any changes that occur in the impedance of the antennas caninfluence the total impedance of the transmitting unit 101 and thereceiving unit 102. These changes can be interpreted by the controllerof the transmitting unit 101 as constant conditions and provided to theadaptive impedance matching unit of the transmitting sub-unit 112.Adaptive impedance matching unit 118 takes into account the constantconditions that it receives when adapting and matching the impedance ofthe transmitting unit 101 to the receiving unit 102. When thetransmitting unit 101 and the receiving unit 102 are optimally matched,the maximum energy volume (MEV) created is surrounding the receivingunit 102 locates within the device under charge (DUC) 300, and thedevice under charge 300 is most efficiently charged in this position.

Thus, the most influential parameters that determine the efficiency ofthe charging can be the coupling coefficients S12 and S21 between thetransmitting antenna 110 of the charging device and the receivingantenna 120 of the device under charge 300.

In order to obtain maximal energy transfer (charging efficiency), threeinteractions may be taken into account: the interaction between theimpedance of the transmitting sub-unit and the impedance of thetransmitting antenna ZtrZta, the interaction between the receivingantenna and the rectifying unit ZraZrec, and the interaction between theimpedance of the transmitting unit 101 and the receiving unit 102ZtxZrx.

The ability to adapt the charging system in order to obtain optimalenergy transfer and charging can be implemented by the ability to changethe coupling coefficients S21 and S12 between the transmitting antennaand the receiving antenna using a mutual influence effect. In accordancewith embodiments of the subject matter, this may be achieved usingvarious methods, for example using an antenna array or by using anadjustable impedance antenna. It is understood that other methods thatcan modifying the coupling between the two antennas are also within thescope of the current subject matter as described in more detail below.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a charging system 500comprising a transmitting unit having two transmitting sub-units 112 and112′. Each of the transmitting sub-units can be configured to generateand transfer RF signals to the transmitting antennas 110 and 110′, whichare connected to transmitting sub-units 112 and 112′, respectively. Thecharging zone 130 can be defined respectively corresponding to thetransmitting antenna 110 and transmitting antenna 110′. The chargingsystem 500 further includes a receiving unit 102 (not shown), includinga receiving sub-unit 122, located within the device under charge (DUC)300. The device under charge DUC 300 is placed within the charging zone130. There can be a coupling and mutual influence between thetransmitting antenna 110 and the receiving antenna 120, as well asbetween the transmitting antenna 110′ and the receiving antenna 120.

In a configuration where the transmitting unit can comprise an antennaarray (in this example the transmitting antennas 110 and 110′), eachantenna within the array can have a different impedance (Z) value withreference to the receiving unit, since the distance of each antenna inthe array is different or due to different characteristic of theantennas. Upon an insertion of a device under charge (DUC) 300 into aclosed, semi-closed, or open charging device, the charging system canmeasure the respective S11 return loss impedance of each antenna in thearray. The antenna that provides the lowest S11 value (after tuning thefrequency, the power level and the impedance by the Adaptive ImpedanceMatching (AIM) unit 118) can be selected to transmit the RF energy.

Antenna (A) Zta Zra S11 A1 Zta1 Zra1 S11(1) A2 Zta2 Zra2 S11(2) • • • •• • • • • • • • An Zta_n Zra_n S11(n) (It is be noted that Zta influenceZtx, and Zra influence Zrx).

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless charging system600 comprising an adaptive impedance transmitting antenna 110″ (modifiedtransmitting antenna) configured to allow changing the size andimpedance of the transmitting antenna 110″ while maintaining the samedistance from the receiving antenna 120. This can enable achieving theenergy transfer that can optimize the efficiency of the charging of adevice under charge 300. The transmitting sub-unit 112 generates andtransfers the RF signal to the transmitting antenna 110″. The chargingzone 130 can be defined respectively corresponding to the transmittingantenna 110″. The device under charge 300 contains a receiving sub unit122, which can receive the RF signal from the receiving antenna 120.

A configuration using an adjustable transmitting antenna 110″ can enableimproving the charging, and more accurately adjust the S11 value. Theterm “modified transmitting antenna” as used herein refers to atransmitting antenna that can be composed of more than one part that canbe operably connected and disconnected in order to create differentimpedance characteristics of the antenna. By changing the size of thetransmitting antenna 110″ the impedance (Zta) of the transmittingantenna can change. Additionally, the transmitting antenna 110″ cancomprise branches that can be functionally attached or detached from theother branches, where any combination of “branches” can provide thetransmitting antenna with a different impedance value (Zta).

In summary, the coupling between the transmitting antenna 110″ and thereceiving antenna 120 and consequently the charging efficiency of adevice under charge 300 may be improved by selection and adjustment ofthe transmitting antennas (to obtain best S11 and S21 values). Thecharging efficiency can also be improved by adjusting the impedancematching between the transmitting sub-unit 112 for each transmittingantenna configuration in order to obtain the best S11 (and S21) values.Thus, upon positioning a device under charge (DUC) 300 in a chargingdevice (closed, semi-closed, open) the controller 114 can swift throughevery possible combination of antennas available in the charging system(either a transmitting antenna array or a single transmitting antenna)and can adapt the impedance to each of antenna. The best S11 valueobtained can then be used by the controller to select the respectiveantenna to transmit the RF energy to the device under charge (DUC) 300.

The transmitting and receiving antenna impedances for the chargingsystem setups provided in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 can be illustrated asSmith charts and units return loss graphs as illustrated in anddescribed with reference to FIGS. 7-32 of the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 7-11 are Smith charts illustrating the antennas impedance andgraphs illustrating the units return loss of the charging system setupof FIG. 1. FIG. 7 illustrates the conditions of transmitting antenna 110and receiving antenna 120, where Zta 142 indicates the input impedanceof transmitting antenna 110 and Zra 144 indicates the input impedance ofreceiving antenna 120. In FIG. 7 the receiving unit 102 is locatedoutside of the charging zone 130. The impedance of each antenna can begraphically displayed by Smith charts in FIGS. 8 and 10. The Smith chartis a graphical aid or monogram designed for electrical and electronicsengineers specializing in radio frequency (RF) engineering to assist insolving problems with transmission lines and matching circuits. The useof the Smith chart is still widely used, not only as a problem solvingaid, but also as a graphical demonstrator of how various RF parametersbehave at one or more frequencies. The Smith chart can be used todisplay multiple parameters including impedances, admittances,reflection coefficients, S.sub.nn scattering parameters, noise figurecircles, constant gain contours and regions for unconditional stability,including mechanical vibrations analysis. The Smith chart is mostfrequently used at or within the unity radius region.

In FIGS. 8 and 10, the Zta impedance 1421 denotes the impedance oftransmitting antenna 110 and the Zra impedance 1441 denotes theimpedance of receiving antenna 120 according to the set up illustratedin FIG. 1. Assuming that both the transmitting unit 101 and thereceiving unit 102 are designed to match the impedance that graphically,the Smith chart describes the center point Z0 1401 of the Smith chartfor proper energy transfer and charging, as obtained when both antennasare located within the charging zone and coupling and mutual influencebetween the antennas occurs. However, when the receiving antenna islocated outside the charging zone, the Zta impedance 1421 can becharacterized as a short circuit for the given frequency band.Additionally, the Zra impedance 1441 can be characterized as an opencircuit for the given frequency band as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10respectively. The impedance conditions of these antennas illustrate thatthere is a mismatch condition between the transmitting antenna 110 andthe transmitting sub-unit 112, and another mismatch between thereceiving antenna 120 and the receiving sub-unit 122.

FIG. 9 illustrates the mismatch condition within the transmitting unit101, between the transmitting antenna 110 and the transmitting sub-unit112. The transmitting unit return loss S11 1425 is graphically displayedin decibel units as the ratio between the reflected power that isreflected back from the transmitting antenna to the incident power thatbeing delivered by the transmitting unit, due to impedance mismatchbetween the transmitting antenna 110 and the transmitting sub-unit 112for the given frequency band.

FIG. 11 illustrates the mismatch condition within the receiving unit102, between the receiving antenna 120 and the receiving sub-unit 122.The return loss S22 of the receiving unit 1445 is graphically displayedin decibel units as the ratio between the reflected power that isreflected back from the receiving unit to the incident power beingdelivered by the receiving antenna, due to impedance mismatch betweenthe receiving antenna 120 and the receiving sub-unit 122 for the givenfrequency band.

FIGS. 12-16 are Smith charts illustrating the antennas impedance andgraphs illustrating the units return loss of the charging system setupof FIG. 2, in which the device under charge (DUC) 300 is located withinthe charging zone 130. FIG. 12 illustrates the conditions oftransmitting antenna 110 and receiving antenna 120. As shown in the FIG.12, Zta 142 indicates the input impedance of the transmitting antenna110, while Zra 144 indicates the input impedance of the receivingantenna 120. The impedance of each of the antennas is graphicallydisplayed by a Smith chart. The Zta impedance 1421 is a graphicaldisplay of the transmitting antenna 110 impedance. The Zra impedance1441 is a graphical display of the receiving antenna 120 impedance inthe same system setup. Assuming that the transmitting unit 101 and thereceiving unit 102 are designed to match the impedance value of Z0 thatgraphically describe by the center point Z0 1401 of Smith chart forproper energy transfer and charging between the units, coupling andmutual influence between the transmitting and receiving antennas occur.Therefore, the Zta impedance 1421 characterized as match to the centerpoint Z0 1401 of Smith chart for the given frequency band (FIG. 13), andZra impedance 1441 characterize as match to the center point Z0 1401 ofSmith chart for the given frequency band (FIG. 15). As to the impedanceconditions of the antennas on FIGS. 13 and 15 (based on the assumptionthat both units 101 and 102 are designed to match a specific impedancethat is graphically displayed as the center point Z0 1401 of Smithchart), a match condition between the transmitting antenna 110 to thetransmitting sub-unit 112 and a match condition between the receivingantenna 120 and the receiving sub-unit 122 occurs.

The match within the transmitting unit 101 is expressed by return lossS11 1425 values (FIG. 14) in decibel units. The return loss is the ratiobetween the reflected power that reflects back from the transmittingantenna to the incident power being delivered by the transmittingsub-unit, due to impedance match between the transmitting antenna 110and the transmitting sub-unit 112.

The match within the receiving unit 102 is expressed by return loss(S22) 1445 values (FIG. 16) in decibel units and denoted as the ratiobetween the reflected power that reflect back from the receivingsub-unit to the incident power being delivered by the receiving antenna,due to impedance match between the receiving antenna 120 and thereceiving sub-unit 122.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are graphs illustrating the energy transfer efficiencybetween the transmitting unit 101 and receiving unit 102 of the chargingsystem of FIG. 3 in accordance with the two setups illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2 respectively. (i.e. DUC 300 positioned outside the charging zone130 (unmatched system (FIG. 17A)) and DUC 300 positioned within thecharging zone 130 (matched system (FIG. 17B))). As shown in thesefigures, the energy transfer efficiency demonstrated as insertion loss(S21) 1450 provides an indication of the ratio between the receivedpower to the transmitted power, i.e. the amount of energy received bythe receiving unit 102 relative to the amount of power being transmit bythe transmitting unit 101. In a mismatch condition, where there is nocoupling and mutual influence condition between the transmitting antenna110 and the receiving antenna 120, the insertion loss 1450 value is veryhigh as being graphically displayed in FIG. 17A. i.e. the energytransfer efficiency S21 is extremely low. However, in a match conditionwhere there is a coupling and mutual influence condition between thetransmitting antenna 110 and the receiving antenna 120, the insertionloss 1450 value is very low (as shown in FIG. 17B) i.e. the energytransfer efficiency S21 is extremely high.

FIGS. 18 to 22 are Smith charts illustrating the antennas impedance andgraphs illustrating the units return loss of the charging system setupof FIG. 5, illustrating a charging system having a transmitting antennaarray with two transmitting antennas 110 and 110′. Also shown, are theinsertion loss values obtained by operation of each of the transmittingunits in the array (FIGS. 27A and 27B). In order to achieve the energytransfer that results in the most efficient charging of the device undercharge, the transmitting unit of the charging system of the currentsubject matter is variable as is described. It is understood that thetransmitting antenna array may comprise a various number of transmittingunits and types thereof.

In this setup provided in FIG. 5, the condition of transmitting antenna110, transmitting antenna 110′, and receiving antenna 120 in accordancewith the setup of FIG. 5 are illustrated in FIG. 18. Shown in FIG. 18,Zta1 142 indicates the input impedance of transmitting antenna 110, Zta2142′ indicates the input impedance of transmitting antenna 110′, and Zra144 indicates the input impedance of the receiving antenna 120, whereinthe receiving unit is located within the charging zone 130.

FIGS. 19 and 21 are Smith chart illustrations of the impedance of eachof the antennas, wherein, Zta1 impedance 1421-1 denotes the impedance ofthe transmitting antenna 110 matched to the center point Z0 1401 ofSmith chart for a given frequency band, and the Zra impedance 1441-1denotes the impedance of the receiving antenna 120 matched to the centerpoint Z0 1401 of Smith chart for the same given frequency band,according to the system setup describe in FIG. 5, assuming that both,transmitting and receiving units, are designed to match the impedancedescribed by the center point Z0 1401 of Smith chart for proper energytransfer and charging, i.e. when both units are located within thecharging zone, and coupling and mutual influence between thetransmitting and the receiving antennas occur.

As to the impedance condition of the antennas in this setup, based onthe assumption that all units are designed to match a specific impedancethat is graphically displayed as the center point Z0 1401 of Smithchart, no suitable match condition between the transmitting antenna 110of the antenna array to the transmitting sub-unit 112 and the receivingantenna 120 and the receiving sub-unit 122 occurs. The match conditionwithin the transmitting unit 101, between the transmitting antenna 110and the transmitting sub-unit 112, is illustrated in FIG. 20. Returnloss (S11) 1425-1 measured in decibel units is the ratio between thereflected power that reflects back from the transmitting antenna to theincident power delivered by the transmitting unit due to unsuitableimpedance matching between the transmitting antenna 110 and thetransmitting sub-unit 112. The receiving unit return loss (S22) 1445-1illustrated in FIG. 22 is the ratio between the reflected power thatreflect back from the receiving sub-unit to the incident power deliveredby the receiving antenna, due to unsuitable impedance match betweenreceiving antenna 120 and sub-receiving unit 122.

FIGS. 23 and 25 are Smith charts showing the impedance of transmittingantenna 110′ Zta2 1421-2 and receiving antenna 120 Zra 1441-2respectively, assuming that both units, transmitting unit 101′ andreceiving unit 102, are designed to match the impedance graphicallydescribe by the center point Z0 1401 of Smith chart for proper energytransfer and charging, i.e. when both units are located within thecharging zone, and coupling and mutual influence between the antennasoccurs. In other words, for the setup illustrated in FIG. 5, the Zta2impedance 1421-2 is characterized as a match to the center point Z0 1401of the Smith chart for the given frequency band, while the Zra impedance1441-2 is characterized as match to the center point Z0 1401 of Smithchart for the given frequency band, as illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 25,respectively. The impedance condition of the antennas on FIGS. 23 and 25according to the scenario describe in FIG. 5 is based on the assumptionthat both units 101′ and 102 were designed to match a specific impedancethat is graphically displayed as the center point Z0 1401 of Smithchart, a match condition between the transmitting antenna 110′ to thetransmitting sub-unit 112′ and receiving antenna 120 and the receivingsubunit 122 occurs.

The match condition within the transmitting unit 101′, between thetransmitting antenna 110′ and the transmitting sub-unit 112′, isdescribed in FIG. 24. Transmitting unit 101′ return loss 1425-2 (decibelunits) is the ratio between the reflected power that reflect back fromthe transmitting antenna to the incident power that being delivered bythe transmitting unit, duo to impedance match between the transmittingantenna 110′ and the transmitting sub-unit 112′. Receiving unit returnloss 1445-2 described in FIG. 26 (decibel units) is the ratio betweenthe reflected power being reflected back from the receiving unit to theincident power that being delivered by the receiving antenna, due toimpedance match between the receiving antenna 120 and the receivingsub-unit 122.

As mentioned above, FIGS. 27A and 27B schematically describe the energytransfer efficiency between the transmitting unit 101 and receiving unit102, and the energy transfer efficiency between the transmitting unit101′ and the receiving unit 102 for the charging system setupillustrated in FIG. 5. The energy transfer efficiency is graphicallyshown as insertion loss 152-1 that indicates about the ratio between thereceived power to the transmitted power, i.e. the amount of energyreceived by the receiving unit 102 respectively to the amount of powerthat being transmit by the transmitting unit 101. According to theunsuitable matching condition describe in FIGS. 20 and 22, where thereis not suitable coupling and mutual influence condition between thetransmitting antenna 110 and the receiving antenna 120, the insertionloss 152-1 is not very low as shown in FIG. 27A, i.e. the energytransfer efficiency S21 is not very high.

According to the match condition describe on FIGS. 23 and 25, wherethere is a coupling and mutual influence condition between thetransmitting antenna 110′ and the receiving antenna 120, the insertionloss 152-2 is very low as shown in FIG. 27B, i.e. energy transferefficiency S21 is extremely high. In that case, the controller ofcharging system 500 will determine that the transmitting unit 101′ willtransfer the RF energy to receiving unit 102.

FIGS. 28 to 32 illustrate the antennas impedance Smith chartspresentations and the units return loss of the charging system setup ofFIG. 6. FIG. 28 illustrates the condition of transmitting antenna 110″and receiving antenna 120 in the setup of FIG. 6. Ztaai 146 indicatesthe input impedance of the transmitting antenna 110″ in a specificadjusted impedance state, and Zra 144 indicates the input impedance ofthe receiving antenna 120, according to the scenario where the receivingunit 102 is located within the charging zone 130.

FIGS. 29 and 31 are Smith chart illustrations of the impedance of eachof the antenna, respectively, wherein, the Ztaai impedance 1461 is agraphic display of the transmitting antenna 110″ numerous impedanceadjustment states according to the scenario described with reference toFIG. 6. The Zraai impedance 1441 is a graphic display of the receivingantenna 120 impedance states respectively to the states of thetransmitting antenna 110″ according to the scenario describe in FIG. 6,assuming that both, transmitting unit 101 and receiving unit 102, aredesigned to match the impedance that graphically describe by the centerpoint Z0 1401 of Smith chart for proper energy transfer and charging,i.e. when both are locate within the charging zone, and coupling andmutual influence between the antennas occurs.

Ztaai impedance 1461 is characterized as match to the center point Z01401 of Smith chart in certain antenna adaptive impedance state for thegiven frequency band and Zraai impedance 1441 is characterize as matchto the center point Z0 1401 of Smith chart respectively to the adaptiveimpedance state of the transmitting antenna 110″ for the given frequencyband.

The impedance condition of the antennas on FIG. 29 and FIG. 31,according to the setup of FIG. 6, and based on the assumption that bothunits were designed to match a specific impedance that is graphicallydisplayed as the center point Z0 1401 of Smith chart, a several matchcondition between the transmitting antenna 110″ to the transmittingsub-unit 112 and receiving antenna 120 and the receiving sub-unit 122occurs.

Several matching condition within the transmitting unit 101, between thetransmitting antenna 110″ and the transmitting sub-unit 112, isdescribed in FIG. 30. Transmitting unit (Txaai) return loss 152 aai isthe ratio between the reflected power being reflected back from thetransmitting antenna to the incident power being delivered by thetransmitting unit, due to several impedance matching states between thetransmitting antenna 110″ and the transmitting sub-unit 112. Receivingunit return loss 1445 is the ratio between the reflected power thatreflect back from the receiving unit to the incident power that beingdelivered by the receiving antenna, duo to several impedance matchingstates, respectively to the adaptive impedance state of the transmittingantenna 110″, between the receiving antenna 120 and the receiving unit122 (FIG. 32).

FIG. 33 is a graph illustrating the energy transfer efficiency betweenthe transmitting unit 101 and receiving unit 102 respectively to theadaptive impedance state of the transmitting antenna 110″, regarding thecharging scenarios describe in FIG. 6. The energy transfer efficiencyS21 is graphically displayed as insertion loss 1448, indicates about theratio between the received power to the transmitted power, i.e. theamount of energy received by the receiving unit 102 respectively to theamount of power that being transmit by the transmitting unit 101 inseveral adaptive impedance states of the transmitting antenna 110″.According to several matching state conditions described in FIGS. 29 and31, where there are several coupling and mutual influence conditionsbetween the transmitting antenna 110″ and the receiving antenna 120,respectively to the adaptive impedance state of the transmitting antenna110″, the insertion loss 1448 is very low as being graphically displayedin FIG. 33 for a certain state of adaptive impedance of the transmittingantenna 110″, i.e. energy transfer efficiency S21 is very high. Thecontroller of charging system 600 will determine that the combination ofthe modified antenna 101′ that provided the highest energy transferefficiency S21 value will transfer the RF energy to receiving unit 102.

FIGS. 34 to 38 are schematic illustrations of the wireless chargingsystem 100 of FIG. 3 following adaptive impedance matching process thatis performed after the electromagnetic parameters of the system are allset. The impedance matching of the charging system illustrated in thesefigures is configured to provide the final adaptation of the electroniccomponents of the wireless charging system so as to allow maximalefficiency of the charging process in the preferred setup as selectedaccording to the electromagnetic components setup of the wirelesscharging system.

FIG. 34 is a Smith chart presentation of the impedance condition of thetransmitting unit before and after impedance matching. In this graphicpresentation, impedance of the transmitting unit Ztxaim is matched tothe impedance that is graphically described by the center point Z0 1401of the Smith chart for proper energy transfer and charging, i.e. whenboth units, the transmitting unit 102 and the receiving unit 102 arelocated within the charging zone and coupling and mutual influencebetween the antennas occurs, while before the impedance matching Ztx1491 is located within the dashed circle 1490 around the Z0 point. In asimilar manner, the impedance condition of the receiving unit before andafter impedance matching Zraim is presented in FIG. 36. The impedance ofthe receiving unit Zraim is matched to the impedance that graphically isdescribed by the center point Z0 1401 of the Smith chart for properenergy transfer and charging, i.e. when both units, the transmittingunit 102 and the receiving unit 102 are locate within the charging zoneand coupling and mutual influence between the antennas occurs, whilebefore the impedance matching Zrx 1495 is located within the dashedcircle 1490 around the Z0 point.

FIGS. 35 and 37 are schematic illustrations of the return loss S11 ofthe transmitting unit Tx and the return loss S22 of the receiving unitRx respectively, following adaptive impedance matching of the units(strict line) and before that in a deferent partially matched situations(dashed lines). As shown in the figures, upon matching of the impedancebetween the units, the S11 and the S22 levels (in decibels) are improvedin a manner that the energy transfer and the charging process in thespecific setup of the wireless charging system is optimal. As noted fromthe figures, when the transmitting and receiving antennas are coupled,the energy transfers from the transmitting unit to the receiving unit ina very narrow frequency band such that the transmission pattern ischaracterized as a peak. Constant loss in the system is usuallyexpressed as a constant by a wide frequency band (−dB) value thatreflects the loss. The receiving unit 102 is adapted to a certain poweri.e. the desired efficiency will be obtained only when the insertedpower is matched to the system impedance. In such scenario, thecompliance of the system is gradual until the opening point of the diodeof the power conditioning circuit in which the receiving unit is capableto uptake the energy. Before the opening of the diode, the constant lossof the charging device and the DUC are minor in any transmission values.Upon opening of the diode the absolute values of S11 increase until fullconduction is reached that reflects the optimal operating point of thesystem.

During the charging process, while the system obtained a maximal energytransfer condition (strict line), several changes may occur (dashedlines). The impedance of the secondary cell is changed during thecharging process, those impedance changes reflect and effect thematching condition between the receiving antenna and the receiving uniti.e S22 is changed (dashed lines) due to the increasing of the reflectpower to the receiving antenna from the receiving unit. The changesoccurring in S22 reflect and affect S21 by decreasing the transferefficiency S21 and also the return loss of the transmitting unit S11,due to the coupling condition between the antennas. The changes in thereturn loss Si 1 (dashed lines) leads to mismatch between thetransmitting antenna and the transmitting sub-unit in this scenario, theadaptive impedance unit in the transmitting unit is adjusting thetransmitting sub-unit and the transmitting antenna to the new conditionin order to maintain and restore the maximal energy transfer efficiencycondition with the receiving unit.

FIG. 38 describes the energy transfer efficiency between thetransmitting unit and the receiving unit respectively to the adaptiveimpedance state of the units until the optimal impedance match isachieved. The energy transfer efficiency is graphically displayed asinsertion loss 1448, and is the ratio between the received power to thetransmitted power, i.e. the amount of energy received by the receivingunit 102 respectively to the amount of power that being transmit by thetransmitting unit 101 in several adaptive impedance state of thetransmitting antenna. The insertion loss 1448 is very low as graphicallydisplayed in FIG. 38 upon reaching optimal adaptive impedance match,i.e. energy transfer efficiency S21 is very high.

FIGS. 39 and 40 are graphs illustrating the return loss for tworeceiving units, in multiple devices under a charge scenario. In thisscenario there can be multiple receiving units 102 in the charging zone.The transmitting unit can recognize the compliance state (frequency andimpedance) of each receiving unit separately (illustrated in FIGS. 39and 40 for two different receiving units) and can save the recognizedvalues. Thereafter, the impedance of the transmitting unit, usingpreviously described methods, can create a common compliance point thatis ideal to both receivers. FIG. 41 is a graph illustrating thetransmitting unit return loss S11. FIG. 42 is a graph illustrating thecommon compliance point that is ideal to both receiving units on areturn loss diagram. At this point, the two receiving units can begincharging until the transmitting unit detects changes in the S11 values.When such a change occurs, the transmitting unit can again startchecking the compliance of each of the receiving units separately (asillustrated in FIGS. 39 and 40) and analyze the change in each of them(the charging state of each of the receiving units based on S11 valuesof each). In order to maintain the amount of power required for each ofthe receivers, the transmitting unit may perform changes and shift thecommon compliance point toward the receiving unit that requires morepower than the other. The controller 114 in the transmitting unit 102 isadapted to respond to the degree of impedance mismatch falling below thethreshold at each of two sets of the plurality of frequencies, each setbeing in a frequency region narrower than the frequency range bycommencing a multiple device charging process.

The transmitting unit may adapt the nature of the common transmission atthe overlapping area created between the two compliance points of eachof the receivers separately, so as to transmit the required power foreach of the receivers together. Each time that the transmitting unitmeasures a change, the measurement is performed for each of thereceiving units separately (according to the data obtained in previousmeasurement of the same receiving unit) in order to view the changes ineach specific device under charge (DUC) and to analyze the requiredcharging duration required for each receiving unit. According to theanalysis the transmitting unit changes the transmitting parameters fromthe common compliance point toward the compliance point of the receivingunit that requires more power and keeping transmitting a lower powertoward the other receiving unit according to its needs.

It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attachedFigures set forth in this specification serves only for a betterunderstanding of the invention, without limiting its scope. It shouldalso be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading thepresent specification could make adjustments or amendments to theattached figures and above described embodiments that would still becovered by the current subject matter.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A wireless charging device comprising atransmitter coupled to at least one transmitting antenna and operable tocause the at least one transmitting antenna to emit electromagneticradiation; a conductive structure adapted to confine the electromagneticradiation to a charging zone; and a detector for detecting a degree ofimpedance mismatch between the transmitter and the at least onetransmitting antenna; wherein the wireless charging device furthercomprises a controller coupled to the detector so as to receive at leastone signal indicating the degree of impedance mismatch from thedetector; wherein the controller is adapted to respond to the degree ofimpedance mismatch falling below a threshold value by varying atransmission frequency at which the transmitter causes the at least onetransmitting antenna to emit electromagnetic radiation over a frequencyrange and measuring the degree of impedance mismatch at a plurality offrequencies across the frequency range; and wherein the controller isadapted to respond to one or more of the following: a) to a reflectioncoefficient S11 from the degree of impedance mismatch and to cause thedevice to indicate the absence of a device to be charged in the chargingzone if the reflection coefficient S11 rises above a threshold value; b)to the degree of impedance mismatch falling below a threshold value byvarying a transmission frequency at which the transmitter causes the atleast one transmitting antenna to emit electromagnetic radiation over afrequency range and measuring the degree of impedance mismatch at aplurality of frequencies across the frequency range; c) to respond tothe degree of impedance mismatch falling below the threshold value of atleast some of the plurality of frequencies by causing the device toindicate the presence of a non-chargeable, parasitic load in thecharging zone; d) to respond to the degree of impedance mismatch fallingbelow the threshold at each of a set of the plurality of frequencies ina frequency region narrower than the frequency range by commencing acharging process; or e) on commencement of the charging process tomodify the power level at which the transmitter causes the at least onetransmitting antenna to emit electromagnetic radiation whilst monitoringthe degree of impedance mismatch to determine the power level at whichthe degree of impedance mismatch exhibits a peak and then setting thepower level to that value.
 2. The wireless charging device according toclaim 1, wherein the conductive structure is a radiofrequency shieldedstructure within which the at least one transmitting antenna is located,the charging zone being located within an internal volume of theradiofrequency shielded structure.
 3. The wireless charging deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the conductive structure defines apartially enclosed volume within which the at least one transmittingantenna is located and which has an open region allowing forintroduction of a device to be charged into the partially enclosedvolume, the charging volume occupying at least part of the partiallyenclosed volume.
 4. The wireless charging device according to claim 1,wherein the conductive structure is a planar structure on which the atleast one transmitting antenna is located, whereby the charging zoneoccupies a volume surrounding the at least one transmitting antenna. 5.The wireless charging device according to claim 1, wherein the at leastone antenna is either one of an array of antennae, each of which may beselected for emitting electromagnetic radiation to modify the chargingzone, or an adaptive impedance transmitting antenna, the impedance ofwhich is variable to modify the charging zone.
 6. The wireless chargingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the detector monitors incidentpower transmitted to the at least one transmitting antenna and reflectedpower received from the at least one transmitting antenna, the ratio ofthese indicating the impedance mismatch between the transmitter and theat least one transmitting antenna.
 7. The wireless charging deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted during thecharging process to monitor the degree of impedance mismatch and torespond to variations in the degree of impedance mismatch in at leastone of the following ways: a) by varying the power level at which thetransmitter causes the at least one transmitting antenna to emitelectromagnetic radiation; b) by varying the frequency at which thetransmitter causes the at least one transmitting antenna to emitelectromagnetic radiation; c) by controlling an adaptive impedancematching unit coupled to the transmitter and the transmitting antenna;and d) by coupling at least one antenna of an antenna array to thetransmitter and/or by adapting the impedance of an adaptive impedanceantenna coupled to the transmitter.
 8. The wireless charging deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the controller is adapted to respond tothe degree of impedance mismatch falling below the threshold at each oftwo sets of the plurality of frequencies, each set being in a frequencyregion narrower than the frequency range by commencing a multiple devicecharging process.
 9. The wireless charging device according to claim 1,wherein the controller is adapted to respond to the degree of impedancemismatch falling below the threshold at each of two sets of theplurality of frequencies, each set being in a frequency region narrowerthan the frequency range by commencing a multiple device chargingprocess.
 10. The wireless charging device according to claim 7, whereinthe controller is further adapted on commencement of the chargingprocess to set the frequency at which the transmitter causes the atleast one transmitting antenna to emit electromagnetic radiation to avalue between frequency values within each set at which the impedancemismatch exhibits a peak.
 11. The wireless charging device according toclaim 7, wherein the controller is further adapted to respond to changesin impedance mismatch by adjusting the frequency at which thetransmitter causes the at least one transmitting antenna to emitelectromagnetic radiation to a value closer to one of the two peaks thanthe other.
 12. A wireless charging device for charging a chargeableunit, the device comprising a power transmitter coupled to atransmitting antenna for transmitting energy to the chargeable unit, amonitor for monitoring a reflection coefficient S11 of the transmittingantenna, and a controller adapted to respond to the monitored S11 valuein at least one of the following ways: a) by varying the power level atwhich the power transmitter causes the transmitting antenna to transmitenergy; b) by varying the frequency at which the power transmittercauses the transmitting antenna to transmit energy; c) by controlling anadaptive impedance matching unit coupled to the power transmitterantenna; and d) by coupling at least one antenna of an antenna array tothe power transmitter and/or by adapting the impedance of an adaptiveimpedance antenna coupled to the power transmitter.
 13. A wirelesscharging system comprising: a wireless charging device according toclaim 1; and a receiver comprising a receiving antenna, a powerconditioning circuit adapted to receive an electrical signal from thereceiving antenna and condition the electrical signal into a formsuitable for charging or powering a load, and a connector for couplingthe power conditioning circuit to the load, in use, wherein the chargingzone includes a region in which the electromagnetic radiation isconcentrated relative to the remainder of the charging zone.
 14. Thewireless charging system according to claim 13, wherein the controllerin the wireless charging device is further adapted to monitor thecharging state of a battery in a chargeable unit coupled to the receiverby monitoring changes in the degree of impedance mismatch and to varythe power level and/or frequency at which the transmitter causes the atleast one transmitting antenna to emit electromagnetic radiation and/orto control an adaptive impedance matching unit coupled to thetransmitter and the transmitting antenna to match the impedance of thetransmitter and the transmitting antenna.
 15. The wireless chargingsystem according to claim 13, wherein the controller in the wirelesscharging device is further adapted to decrease the power level at whichthe transmitter causes the at least one transmitting antenna to emitelectromagnetic radiation from a starting value for predefined period oftime before returning the power level to the starting value.
 16. Thewireless charging system according to claim 15, wherein the controllerin the wireless charging device is adapted to determine an insertionloss S21 value by calculating the ratio of the difference in the valuesof S11 during the predefined period and prior to the predefined periodto the value of S11 prior to the predefined period.
 17. The wirelesscharging system according to claim 13, wherein the power conditioningcircuit of the receiver further comprises an impedance matching circuithaving only passive electrical components.
 18. The wireless chargingsystem according to claim 13, wherein the receiver further comprises aswitch for interrupting the reception of the electrical output from thereceiving antenna by the power conditioning circuit.
 19. The wirelesscharging system according to claim 13 wherein the wireless chargingdevice further comprises a power transmitter coupled to a transmittingantenna for transmitting energy to the chargeable unit, a monitor formonitoring a reflection coefficient S11 of the transmitting antenna, anda controller adapted to respond to the monitored S11 value in at leastone of the following ways: a) by varying the power level at which thepower transmitter causes the transmitting antenna to transmit energy; b)by varying the frequency at which the power transmitter causes thetransmitting antenna to transmit energy; c) by controlling an adaptiveimpedance matching unit coupled to the power transmitter antenna; and d)by coupling at least one antenna of an antenna array to the powertransmitter and/or by adapting the impedance of an adaptive impedanceantenna coupled to the power transmitter.